Lawyers of Imaan, Hadi boycott ATC proceedings

ISLAMABAD - Lawyers representing human rights activists and activists Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, alongside Shireen Mazari, refused to participate in an anti-terrorism court hearing on Wednesday. The judge, Tahir Abbas Sipra, proceeded to record statements of three witnesses in the absence of the accused and their attorneys, increasing the number of witnesses examined in the case to six.

The court's decision to proceed with the testimony recording after the defendants and their legal representatives walked out over the judge's prior request for a delay caused the boycott.

During the hearing, Imaan and Hadi's lawyer, Aimal Khan Mandokhail, informed the court that he had visited Adiala jail to meet with his clients but was unable due to road blockages. The jail authorities informed the judge that a special vehicle for transporting the defendants was not available. A prosecutor argued for the recording of the witnesses' statements on the same day, stating that cross-examination could be handled later.

The judge agreed, allowing the statements to be recorded despite the defendants' absence and their lawyers' refusal to participate.

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha also requested the court to summon the accused to the courtroom. Imaan expressed concern over the privacy of their meetings and their rights as primary stakeholders in the proceedings. The recording of the witnesses' statements commenced as the defense lawyers, Shireen Mazari, and the accused's counsel left the courtroom in protest.